Morehead State’s St. Louis Sweep

Tied for First (and Sixth)

(St. Louis, MO) – Morehead’s St. Louis sweep pushed the Eagles into a tie for first place in the Ohio Valley Conference. They are also tied for sixth as MSU is tied with five other teams with identical 5-and-3 records.

After victories at Southern Illinois Edwardsville and Lindenwood University the preseason favorites announced they are ready to live up to that ‘favorite’ billing. Preston Spradlin’s team was in control of each game played just outside of the Gateway City. Morehead knocked SIUE out of sole possession of first place with a 67-58 decision and finished the sweep with a convincing 72-63 at Lindenwood. Neither game was as close as the score would make you think.

Morehead came to the St. Louis area on a short, two-game losing streak and trailing SIUE by two games. Coupled with other OVC contests the weekend action created a six-way tie for first place.

Spradlin says winning road conference games is really difficult.

 

 

Triples Lead to Morehead State’s St. Louis Sweep

Eagle sharp-shooters were deadly accurate during the St. Louis sweep. Knocking down nine triples in each game doesn’t sound extreme, but the Eagles made those 18 bombs on just 37 attempts (.486) and often came late in shot clock situations and during key moments of each game.

In each game, they made six, first half three pointers and that opened up the second half inside game. Kalil Thomas led the long distance barrage, making six of twelve long distance attempts. The 6’5 junior recorded a pair of double-digit performances and also grabbed ten rebounds against SIUE. He’s had six double-digit games all season, and four of them have come during MSU’s last five games.

Spradlin says his team is running efficient offense.

 

 

Mark Freeman made just one of five downtown attempts against the Cougars but buried four of seven against the Lions. Drew Thelwell made a pair of triples in each game.

Five Eagles reached double-figures against SIUE and five reached at least nine points against Lindenwood.

Toughness and Defense

Morehead has struggled finishing games and during the two-game losing streak they allowed 79 and 91 points. A return of stingy defense is mandatory for MSU’s title hopes. Allowing just 58 and 63 during the St. Louis sweep was attributed to increased team toughness.

Spradlin says his team has lacked some of the required toughness to finish games and have struggled to hold on to leads.

 

 

Despite being 6’10, Alex Gross isn’t a shot blocking machine, evidenced by his career high four blocks against Lindenwood. The former NAIA all-American also scored 18 points against the Lions. His ability to sore through content was impressive.

Spradlin says his center combo of Gross and L.J. Bryan is the best big man combination in the OVC.

 

 

Led by their ‘twin-towers’ 12 rebounds, the Eagles dominated the smaller Lions (36 to 19) on the boards.

What’s Ahead?

Morehead’s next three games are at home. Little Rock, SIUE and Tennessee Tech visit Ellis T. Johnson Arena and provide the Eagles the opportunity to get a leg up in the OVC race. The Eagles, Cougars, UT Martin, Southern Indiana, Southeast Missouri and Tech are all tied at 5-and-3.

Eight teams qualify for the end of the season tournament and sitting in those final two play off spots are Tennessee State and Eastern Illinois both with records of 3-and-5.

Ironically, Thursday’s only match up between the six teams tied at the top is Southern Illinois Edwardsville’s visit to Tennessee Tech.

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